STAFF at Darwen Health Centre will be trained next week on how to use the new life-saving machine recently installed at the centre.

The charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), has organised the training for health centre staff. Eight members will learn how to use the machine, which can test for up to 90 per cent of heart conditions which kill young people.

Two young men from the area have died from undetected heart conditions. Neil Wickers, aged 31, of Darwen, died in August 1996, after collapsing at a gym and David Staff, of Hoddleson, died at the age of 17 in 1994, after taking part in the 10k Darwen Dashers Road Race.

Irene Wickers and Granville Staff set up the Neil Wickers and David Staff Memorial Fund as a tribute to their children and managed to raise £8,000 to buy the equipment.